Italian Grand Prix Opens at Monza With Antonelli Defending 59-Point Lead

What happened

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Formula 1 returns to Monza on Friday for the opening practice sessions of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the season. According to Formula 1's official weekend guide, first practice begins at 12:30 local time on September 4, followed by second practice at 16:00. The final practice session is scheduled for 12:30 on Saturday, with qualifying at 16:00 and the 53-lap Grand Prix set to begin at 15:00 on Sunday.

Championship picture

Kimi Antonelli arrives at his home race holding a 59-point advantage at the top of the drivers' standings. Formula 1 reports that George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton are level behind the championship leader, while reigning champion Lando Norris has rebuilt momentum with consecutive victories. That combination puts Antonelli under a particularly bright spotlight: he has a substantial cushion, but the leading challengers now have both form and a high-value weekend in which to reduce it.

Why it matters

Monza's long straights, heavy braking zones and high average speeds create a distinctive examination of the 2026 cars. Friday's two hours of practice will be the teams' first opportunity to establish how their low-downforce packages perform under competitive conditions. Straight-line speed matters, but stability under braking and traction out of the chicanes can determine whether a quick car converts its pace into a strong qualifying position. With overtaking possible but track position still valuable, Saturday afternoon will carry major strategic weight.

Ferrari also faces the annual intensity of its home event. The Italian crowd has celebrated Charles Leclerc victories at Monza in 2019 and 2024, and Lewis Hamilton shares the circuit record of five Formula 1 wins with Michael Schumacher. Formula 1's guide notes that Max Verstappen won the 2025 race, underlining that history and home support do not guarantee Ferrari control of the weekend.

What to watch

The first competitive clues will come from long-run consistency in Friday's second practice and from how comfortably drivers can follow through Monza's fastest sections. Warm, sunny conditions are forecast across the three days, with temperatures around 30C and only a minimal chance of rain, according to Formula 1. That should give teams a relatively stable basis for tyre and setup comparisons.

The central question is whether Antonelli can protect his championship margin in front of the Italian crowd or whether Norris, Russell and Hamilton can turn recent pressure into a meaningful swing. Practice will not settle that contest, but it will establish the competitive order for one of the fastest and most consequential weekends on the calendar.